Admissions

Undergraduates

Why CS at NYCU?


Organization

Ever since 2005, the Department of Computer Science has been integrating the talent of NYCU’s multi-disciplinary and distinguished IT-related faculty to introduce a framework of “one college, one department, and multiple graduate institutes” following the example of Carnegie Mellon University, the leading computer science institute in the US. The framework is part of the Department’s effort to create a world-class presence and nurture elite, next-generation computer science professionals.

The graduate programs are available under four institutes: the Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, Institute of Network Engineering, Institute of Multimedia Engineering, and Institute of Data Science and Engineering . Through the disciplinary divisions, the students are expected to develop vertically integrated expertise and horizontal, cross-disciplinary capabilities so that they can tackle the rapidly shifting needs in the future society.

As the largest of its kind in Taiwan, NYCU’s Department of Computer Science prides itself on having so many outstanding professors (70 or so) and extraordinary computer labs. Currently, more than 800 students are enrolled in its undergraduate programs, and more than 800 graduate students are pursuing masters or doctoral degrees. 


Characteristics of the Department of Computer Science

A. Comprehensive curriculum design

  • Well-planned curricula for bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degrees meet the latest challenges in IT-related research and technologies.
  • The core courses are supported by well-planned teaching and all available additional measures.
  • Courses given in English are also available.
  • The juniors and seniors of the Department are eligible to apply for international student exchange programs presented by NYCU’s partner universities worldwide (Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Munich, and other internationally renowned schools) for a time period ranging from one semester to one year, with generous scholarships available to outstanding applicants.
  • The curricula enable students to complete an M.A. program in 5 years and doctoral program in 7 years.


B. Exceptional research and developmental competence

  • With more than 70 full-time faculty members with Ph.D. degrees and more than 10 internationally renowned professors jointly hired with other departments, along with graduate students accounting for half of the student body, the Department is an excellent, research-oriented institute.
  • The proximity of Hsinchu Science Park gives the Department ample opportunities to closely interact with industries and fully grasp the trends of the industries. Naturally, our graduates are very popular with many businesses.
  • Each faculty member of the Department has published so many excellent papers on computer-related subjects that the number, in fact, ranks first in Taiwan (between 16th and 23rd internationally). In addition, the Department’s faculty and students are frequent winners in computer and academic essay contests both in Taiwan and abroad.
  • Many professors of the Department are members of international academic society; they work with many international companies in cooperative education programs. Several industry R&D institutes founded the joint research and development centers in the Department. Our graduates make up a considerable part of Taiwanese social elite, exerting influence on the industry, political authorities and academic community.


C. Wonderful learning environment

Being the leader among the computer science departments in Taiwan, the Department is well equipped with numerous professional teaching labs, which sets an example to many other educational institutes in Taiwan. They include a Microprocessor Lab, Digital Systems Lab, IC Design Lab, Embedded Systems Lab, Multimedia Lab, and Games/Animation Lab, as well as fully-equipped computer/network engineering facilities. While undergraduate students benefit from their own study rooms and discussion areas, the Department encourages students to form self-initiated learning groups, which can facilitate professional creativity and enhance learning motivation.


Curriculum design

A. Equal emphasis on basic science, theory, and practical application

Facing the dramatic advances in IT software, service sector and technological R&D efforts, the Department puts its emphasis on the theoretical aspect of teaching as well as hands-on training in hard- and software engineering, in the hope that students may develop R&D abilities based on both theory and implementation, with a personality that comprises an attitude of sincerity, diligence, innovation, and team spirit.

The Department has the country’s most comprehensive and sound curriculum. With its novel curriculum linking the basics and cutting-edge implementation, the Department leads its counterparts in other universities. In 1998, CommonWealth Magazine ranked the Department the first in Taiwan for its curriculum design. While each program offers its own core and advanced courses, we also emphasize cross-disciplinary, integrated learning so that students can develop vertically integrated expertise as well as horizontal, cross-disciplinary capabilities. The Department has created several characteristic courses to help students develop their creativity and learn technological integration and enhance their team workability and experience. The curricula enable students to complete an M.A. program in 5 years and a doctoral program in 7 years.


B. Raising teaching quality

One student of the Department is designated for each undergraduate common prerequisite course to help with the common view of that course, the teaching materials, enhancing the teaching and learning results, and cooperative teaching. To raise teaching and learning effectiveness, the designated student should have regular meetings with the course instructor to discuss course-related issues such as common exercises, common teaching materials, and common exam questions.


C. Tutors are available for the core courses

In the Department, each core course provides an excellent doctoral student to serve as a tutor to help the students review and summarize what they have learned from importantly required electives, and to give advice on assignments or tests. Through a hands-on approach in programming, the tutors familiarize the students with the actual work platform, increase their ability to grasp the progress of projects and lay out the overall plans. Regarding the programming assignments, the tutors help the students to better understand the assignments, become familiar with the application of programming languages and enhance their debugging skills. All these measures are meant to strengthen the service of the tutors in order to further the learning results.


D. Learning multi-disciplines and broadening students’ horizons

The juniors and seniors of the Department are eligible to apply for international student exchange programs presented by NYCU’s partner universities worldwide (Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Munich, and other internationally renowned schools) for a time period ranging from one semester to one year. It is a precious opportunity to learn from different cultures and know more about the world outside Taiwan. Those applications with excellent school performances can also apply for generous scholarships.

The Department also accepts international students with whom our students can interact and earn rare experiences. Plenty of part-time jobs, internships and the opportunities to participate in research projects are available to the students.


E. Numerous on-campus opportunities to apply knowledge or skills acquired

Designed with an equal emphasis on theories and practice, each program curriculum incorporates theoretical learning into the lab experiments. The Department also features numerous research projects, including the required project design courses for juniors and seniors as well as many industry-sponsored or research projects directed by faculty members and/or graduate students, which always welcome the interested undergraduates to participate.


Bachelor Degree-International Admission

  • The Fall semester application period is August 10 – September 30.


For prospective CS students, application for admission can be made through